Gentisic acid conjugates of Medicago truncatula roots

Three phenolic glycosides 5-O-{[5′′-O-E-(4′′′-O-threo-guaiacylglycerol)-feruloyl]-β-apiofuranosyl-(1→2)-β-xylopyranosyl} gentisic acid, 5-O-[(5′′-O-vanilloyl)-β-apiofuranosyl-(1→2)-β-xylopyranosyl] gentisic acid and 1-O-[E-(4′′′-O-threo-guaiacylglycerol)-feruloyl]-3-O-β-galacturonopyranosyl glycerol were isolated and identified from the roots of Medicago truncatula together with four known 5-O-β-xylopyranosyl gentisic acid, vicenin-2, hovetrichoside C and pterosupin identified for the first time in this species. Structural elucidation was carried out on the basis of UV, mass, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectral data.     

The sequence and phylogenesis of the α-globin genes of Barbary sheep (Ammotragus lervia), goat (Capra hircus), European mouflon (Ovis aries musimon) and Cyprus mouflon (Ovis aries ophion)

In order to investigate the polymorphism of α-globin chain of hemoglobin amongst caprines, the linked ^Iα and ^IIα globin genes of Barbary sheep (Ammotragus lervia), goat (Capra hircus), European mouflon (Ovis aries musimon), and Cyprus mouflon (Ovis aries ophion) were completely sequenced, including the 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions. European and Cyprus mouflons, which do not show polymorphic α globin chains, had almost identical α globin genes, whereas Barbary sheep exhibit two different chains encoded by two nonallelic genes. Four different α genes were observed and sequenced in goat, validating previous observations of the existence of allelic and nonallelic polymorphism. As in other vertebrates, interchromosomal gene conversion appears to be responsible for such polymorphism. Evaluation of nucleotide sequences at the level of molecular evolution of the ^Iα-globin gene family in the caprine taxa suggests a closer relationship between the genus Ammotragus and Capra. Molecular clock estimates suggest sheep-mouflon, goat-aoudad, and ancestor-caprine divergences of 2.8, 5.7, and 7.1 MYBP, respectively.     

Binding of the C6-zinc cluster protein, AFLR, to the promoters of aflatoxin pathway biosynthesis genes in Aspergillus parasiticus

AFLR is a Zn₂Cys₆-type sequence-specific DNA-binding protein that is thought to be necessary for expression of most of the genes in the aflatoxin pathway gene cluster in Aspergillus parasiticus and A. flavus, and the sterigmatocystin gene cluster in A. nidulans. However, it was not known whether AFLR bound to the promoter regions of each of the genes in the cluster. Recently, A. nidulans AFLR was shown to bind to the motif 5′-TCGN₅CGA-3′. In the present study, we examined the binding of AFLR to promoter regions of 11 genes in the A. parasiticus cluster. Based on electrophoretic mobility shift assays, the genes nor1, pksA, adhA, norA, ver1, omtA, ordA, and, vbs, had at least one 5′-TCGN₅CGA-3′ binding site within 200 bp of the translation start site, and pksA and ver1 had an additional binding site further upstream. Although the promoter region of avnA lacked this motif, AFLR bound weakly to the sequence 5′-TCGCAGCCCGG-3′ at −110 bp. One region in the promoter of the divergently transcribed genes aflR/aflJ bound weakly to AFLR even though it contained a site with at most only 7 bp of the 5′-TCGN₅CGA-3′ motif. This partial site may be recognized by a monomeric form of AFLR. Based on a comparison of 16 possible sites, the preferred binding sequence was 5′-TCGSWNNSCGR-3′.     

Synthesis of monodeoxy and mono-O-methyl congeners of methyl β-d-mannopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-mannopyranoside for epitope mapping of anti-Candida albicans antibodies

A panel of six complementary monodeoxy and mono-O-methyl congeners of methyl β-d-mannopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-mannopyranoside (1) were synthesized by stereoselective glycosylation of monodeoxy and mono-O-methyl monosaccharide acceptors with a 2-O-acetyl-glucosyl trichloroacetimidate donor, followed by a two-step oxidation–reduction sequence at C-2′. The β-manno configurations of the final deprotected congeners 2–7 were confirmed by measurement of ¹J_C1,H1 heteronuclear and ³J_1′,2′ homonuclear coupling constants. These disaccharide derivatives will be used to map the protective epitope recognized by a protective anti-Candida albicans monoclonal antibody C3.1 (IgG3) and to determine its key polar contacts with the binding site.     

Chemically modified ATP derivatives for the study of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases from baker's yeast: ATP analogs with fixed conformations or modified triphosphate chains in the aminoacylation reaction

The systematic investigation of substrate specificity of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases from yeast is completed by tests of ATP analogs with fixed conformation about the glycosidic bond and with modifications in the triphosphate chain as substrate analogs in the aminoacylation reaction. Two analogs with fixed high anti (8,2′-O-cyclo-ATP, 8,2′-S-cyclo-ATP) and two with fixed anti (8,3′-O-cyclo-ATP, 8,3′-S-cyclo-ATP) conformation have been tested in the esterification reaction of phenylalanyl-, seryl-, lysyl-, valyl-, isoleucyl-, arginyl-, and tyrosyl-tRNA synthetases from baker's yeast. None of the compounds was a substrate, whereas 11 K_i values could be determined. 8,2′-S-cyclo-ATP, remarkably, is the only analog which inhibits all these synthetases. Each compound with a fixed anti conformation inhibits two enzymes. Among 11 analogs with modifications in the triphosphate chain, four were substrates for phenylalanyl-, three for seryl-, one for lysyl-, three for valyl-, one for isoleucyl-, and none for arginyl- and for tyrosyl-tRNA synthetases. Two compounds were inhibitors of different types for phenylalanyl-, two for seryl-, seven for lysyl-, six for valyl-, nine for isoleucyl-, seven for arginyl-, and two for tyrosyl-tRNA synthetases. Their K_m, V, and K_i values have been determined. In the general picture of substrate specificity the subunit enzymes can tolerate substitutions in position 2, 2′, at the α-phosphorus, at the β,γ-P-X-P bridge and at the γ-phosphorus atom. The single chain enzymes tolerate substitutions in position 7 and at the γ-phosphorus. All seven synthetases from yeast need an intact NH₂ group in position 6 and an oxygen atom in position 3′.     

Acid glycosidases from hen oviduct and egg albumen

Activities of seven acid glycosidases: β-N-acetylhexosaminidase (β-HEX), α- and β-galactosidase (α- and β-GAL), α- and β-mannosidase (α- and β-MAN), α-glucosidase and α-fucosidase in magnum region of hen (Gallus gallus domesticus) oviduct, and four acid glycosidases: β-HEX, β-GAL, α- and β-MAN in egg albumen, were investigated. β-HEX from magnum and egg albumen hydrolysed 4-methylumbelliferyl-β-N-acetylhexosamine-6-sulphate (4-MeUmbGlcNAc-6-SO₄) like mammalian β-HEX form A. Multiple forms of magnum and egg albumen β-HEX, β-GAL, α- and β-MAN were separated by strong anion exchange chromatography and chromatofocusing method. Chromatofocusing of the magnum resulted in the appearance of multiple forms for β-HEX with pI of 6.18, 5.43, 5.55, 5.34, 5.27 and 5.16, for β-GAL with pI of 4.98, 4.84, 4.77, 4.64 and 4.68–4.63, for α-MAN with pI of ≥ 7.4, 6.75, 6.62 and 6.26, and for β-MAN two forms with pI of 6.37 and 5.77. Chromatofocusing of egg albumen yields multiple forms for β-HEX with pI of 6.24, 6.08, 5.55 and 5.35, for β-GAL two forms with pI of 5.10 and 4.86–4.80 for α-MAN multiple forms with pI of ≥ 7.4, 6.80, 6.60 and 6.30, and for β-MAN forms with pI of 6.30 and 5.77. In conclusion, this study was the first to show β-HEX activity against 4-MeUmbGlcNAc-6-SO₄ in the magnum and albumen of bird eggs, corresponding to β-HEX A activity in mammals. Main multiple forms of β-HEX, β-GAL, α- and β-MAN occurring in the magnum were revealed in the egg albumen. Comparison with a cock of the same breed showed that hen egg magnum and albumen has the same multiple forms of the enzymes that are found in the epididymides and seminal plasma of the cock.     

Synthetic studies on amino-α-glycosides of aminocyclitols. Synthesis of kanamycin analogues

A diastereoisomer of Kanamycin C has been synthesized by a modified Koenigs—Knorr reaction of 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-(2,4-dinitroanilino)-2-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranosyl bromide with 4-O-(3-acetamido-2,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-3-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranosyl)-N,N′-di[(benzyloxy)carbonyl]-2-deoxystreptamine. Several Kanamycin analogues were synthesized by a similar condensation reaction. Each of the condensed products was isolated as its crystalline tetra-N-acetyl derivative and was proved by n.m.r. spectroscopy in D₂O to have the α-configuration.     

The properties and reactions of haemoglobin F(1) and their bearing on the dissociation equilibrium of haemoglobin

1. Hb-F_I, with the previously proposed structure α^A₂γ^Fγ^AcF, would be an exception to the general hypothesis that haemoglobins are in mobile equilibrium with their sub-units at all pH values. However, studies presented in this paper suggest that this is not so. 2. Gel-filtration and sedimentation analyses show that Hb-F_I dissociates at acid pH and gives only the usual types of hybrids in recombination experiments. When self-hybridized, Hb-F_I is the main haemoglobin species re-formed, although small but increasing amounts of Hb-F_II appear on prolonged exposure to acid. 3. Exchange experiments with isotopically labelled Hb-F_II and unlabelled Hb-F_I show no exchange of sub-units at neutral pH or after brief exposure to acid pH. Under equilibrium conditions at acid pH non-α^A-chains do not exchange, although α^A-chains equilibrate completely between the two species. 4. These results indicate that Hb-F_I does not contain γ^F-chains and its possible structure is discussed on this basis. Since the dissociation properties of Hb-F_I are not markedly different from those of Hb-A or Hb-F_II it is concluded that Hb-F_I, like other haemoglobins, is an equilibrium system.     

Evidence for the role of the light-harvesting chlorophyll protein complex in photosystem II heterogeneity

Analyses of chlorophyll fluorescence induction kinetics from DCMU-poisoned thylakoids were used to examine the contribution of the light-harvesting chlorophyll protein complex (LHCP) to Photosystem II (PS II) heterogeneity. Thylakoids excited with 450 nm radiation exhibited fluorescence induction kinetics characteristic of major contributions from both PS II_α and PS II_β centres. On excitation at 550 nm the major contribution was from PS II_β centres, that from PS II_α centres was only minimal. Mg²⁺ depletion had negligible effect on the induction kinetics of thylakoids excited with 550 nm radiation, however, as expected, with 450 nm excitation a loss of the PS II_α component was observed. Thylakoids from a chlorophyll-b-less barley mutant exhibited similar induction kinetics with 450 and 550 nm excitation, which were characteristic of PS II_β centres being the major contributors; the PS II_α contribution was minimal. The fluorescence induction kinetics of wheat thylakoids at two different developmental stages, which exhibited different amounts of thylakoid appression but similar chlorophyll ratios and thus similar PS II:LHCP ratios, showed no appreciable differences in the relative contributions of PS II_α and PS II_β centres. Mg²⁺ depletion had similar effects on the two thylakoid preparations. These data lead to the conclusion that it is the PS II:LHCP ratio, and probably not thylakoid appression, that is the major determinant of the relative contributions of PS II_α and PS II_β to the fluorescence induction kinetics. PS II_α characteristics are produced by LHCP association with PS II, whereas PS II_β characteristic can be generated by either disconnecting LHCP from PS II or by preferentially exciting PS II relative to LHCP.     

High-throughput, semi-automated determination of a cyclooxygenase II inhibitor in human plasma and urine using solid-phase extraction in the 96-well format and high-performance liquid chromatography with post-column photochemical derivatization-fluorescence detection

Compound I, 5-chloro-3-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-6′-methyl-[2,3′]bipyridinyl, has been found to be a specific inhibitor of the enzyme cyclooxygenase II (COX II). The anti-inflammatory properties of this compound are currently being investigated. HPLC assays for the determination of this analyte in human plasma and human urine have been developed. Isolation of I and the internal standard (II) was achieved by solid-phase extraction (SPE) in the 96-well format. A C₈ SPE plate was used for the extraction of the drug from human plasma (recovery >90%) while a mixed-mode (C₈/Cation) SPE plate was used to isolate the analytes from human urine (recovery approximately 71%). The analyte and internal standard were chromatographed on a Keystone Scientific Prism-RP^® guard column (20×4.6 mm) connected to a Prism-RP^® analytical column (150×4.6 mm), using a mobile phase consisting of 45% acetonitrile in 10 mM acetate buffer (pH=4); the analytes eluted at retention times of 5.2 and 6.9 min for I and II, respectively. Compounds I and II were found to form highly fluorescent products after exposure to UV light (254 nm). Thus, the analytes were detected by fluorescence (λ_ex=260 nm, λ_em=375 nm) following post-column photochemical derivatization. Eight point calibration curves over the concentration range of 5–500 ng/ml for human plasma and human urine yielded a linear response (R²>0.99) when a 1/y weighted linear regression model was employed. Based on the replicate analyses (n=5) of spiked standards, the within-day precision for both assays was better than 7% C.V. at all points on the calibration curve; within-day accuracy was within 5% of nominal at all standard concentrations. The between-run precision and accuracy of the assays, as calculated from the results of the analysis of quality control samples, was better than 8% C.V. and within 8% of nominal. I was found to be stable in human plasma and urine for at least 8 and 2 months, respectively. In addition, the human plasma assay was semi-automated in order to improve sample throughput by utilizing a Packard liquid handling system and a Tom-Tec Quadra 96 SPE system. The precision and accuracy of the semi-automated procedure were comparable to the manual procedure. Over 5000 clinical samples have been analyzed successfully using these methods.     

Synthesis and biological activity of 17α-alkynylamide derivatives of estradiol

Seven estradiol (E₂) derivatives with an alkynylamide side chain at the 17α position were synthesized starting from ethynylestradiol (EE₂). The main chemical step was the coupling reaction of the acetylide ion of EE₂ with carbon dioxide, glutaric anhydride or bromoalkyl ortho ester. The synthesis of these compounds is fast (3–6 steps according to the compound) and is easily achieved with good yield. Five compounds with different side chain lenghts were evaluated for uterotrophic and antiuterotrophic activity in the CD-1 mouse. None of the tested compounds shows estrogenic activity in this sensitive in vitro system. At low doses (1 and 3 μg), a 14–57% inhibition of E₂-induced uterine growth was observed while no additional inhibition was observed at the 10, 20 and 30 μg doses. In human breast carcinoma cells in culture, all compounds show estrogenic activity at high concentrations while only compound 39 (N-buty,N-methyl-8-[3′,17′β-dihydroxy estra-1′,3′,5′(10′)-trien-17′α-yl]-7-octynamide) possesses antiproliferative or antiestrogenic effects. No significant correlation could be demonstrated between alkynylamide side chain length and estrogenic or antiestrogenic activity. Among the compounds tested, the derivative of EE₂ possessing a five-methylene (CH₂) side chain (compound 39) possesses the best antiestrogenic activity (44 ± 7% in the CD-1 mouse uterus assay at the 3μg dose and 57 ± 4% at 0.1 nM in human ZR-75-1 cancer cells in culture).     

PAF-antagonistic bicyclo[3.2.1]octanoid neolignans from leaves of Ocotea macrophylla Kunth. (Lauraceae)

Di-nor-benzofuran neolignan aldehydes, Δ⁷-3,4-methylenedioxy-3′-methoxy-8′,9′-dinor-4′,7-epoxy-8,3′-neolignan-7′-aldehyde (ocophyllal A) 1, Δ⁷-3,4,5,3′-tetramethoxy-8′,9′-dinor-4′,7-epoxy-8,3′-neolignan-7′-aldehyde (ocophyllal B) 2, and macrophyllin-type bicyclo[3.2.1]octanoid neolignans (7R, 8R, 3′S, 4′S, 5′R)-Δ⁸′-4′-hydroxy-5′-methoxy-3,4-methylenedioxy-2′,3′,4′,5′-tetrahydro-2′-oxo-7.3′,8.5′-neolignan (ocophyllol A) 3, (7R, 8R, 3′S, 4′S, 5′R)-Δ⁸′-4′-hydroxy-3,4,5′-trimethoxy-2′,3′,4′,5′-tetrahydro-2′-oxo-7.3′,8.5′-neolignan (ocophyllol B) 4, (7R, 8R, 3′S, 4′S, 5′R)-Δ⁸′-4′-hydroxy-3,4,5,5′-tetramethoxy-2′,3′,4′,5′-tetrahydro-2′-oxo-7.3′,8.5′-neolignan (ocophyllol C) 5, as well as 2′-epi-guianin 6 and (+)-licarin B 7, were isolated and characterized from leaves of Ocotea macrophylla (Lauraceae). The structures and configuration of these compounds were determined by extensive spectroscopic analyses. Inhibition of platelet activating factor (PAF)-induced aggregation of rabbit platelets were tested with neolignans 1–7. Although compound 6 was the most potent PAF-antagonist, compounds 3–5 showed some activity.     

Occurrence of two β-tubulin isoforms with different polymerizing abilities in L5178Y cells

Mouse lymphoma L5178Y cells express at least two isoforms of β-tubulin, designated Mβ_I, and Mβ_II, as revealed by isoelectrofocusing, whereas two independently isolated normal T-cell clones, 3D10 and K23, express only Mβ_I. Mβ_II-tubulin is more acidic (pI, 5.10) than Mβ_I-tubulin (pI, 5.15). L5178Y cells were disrupted under the microtubule-stabilizing conditions, followed by centrifugation to separate fractions containing polymerized and unpolymerized tubulin. We found that a proportion of Mβ_II to total β-tubulins is larger in the fraction containing unpolymerized tubulin than in that containing polymerized tubulin. In addition, when tubulin was purified from extracts of L5178Y cells by repeated cycles of polymerization-depolymerization, the Mβ_II-tubulin isoform was gradually lost during the successive purification steps. The low recovery of Mβ_II-tubulin was observed, irrespective of the presence or absence of MAPs, and even in the presence of an excess amount of essentially polymerizable porcine brain tubulin. These results indicate that Mβ_II-tubulin is less able to polymerize than is Mβ_I-tubulin, both in vivo and in vitro.     

Use of a vinyl phosphonate analog of ATP as a rotationally constrained probe of the C5′---O5′ torsion angle in ATP complexed to methionine adenosyl transferase

An analog of adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) was synthesized in which the C4′---C5′---O---P^α system is replaced by a trans C4′---CH=CH---P^α system. In the form of 1:1 complexes with Mg, this analog and its counterpart with a C4′---CH₂---CH₂---P^α system were linear competitive inhibitors, with respect to MgATP, of the MAT-II (normal tissue) and MAT-T (hepatoma tissue) forms of rat ATP: -methionine-S-adenosyltransferase (MAT); K_m(ATP)/K_i values ranged from 0.4 to 2.4. 2′-Deoxy-ATP was a weak substrate, K_m(ATP)/K_m = 0.035, of MAT-II and a weak competitive inhibitor, K_m(ATP)/K_i = 0.07, of MAT-T. These findings, together with interactions of the MAT forms with other substrates and inhibitors, indicate that binding of ATP to these transferases is accompanied by little rotation about the C5′---O5′ bond, and that C4′ and P^α are in a trans-type relationship in enzyme-bound ATP.     

1-Methoxy-, 1-deoxy-11-hydroxy- and 11-Hydroxy-1-methoxy-Δ-tetrahydrocannabinols: new selective ligands for the CB2 receptor

Three series of new cannabinoids were prepared and their affinities for the CB₁ and CB₂ cannabinoid recptors were determined. These are the 1-methoxy-3-(1′,1′-dimethylalkyl)-, 1-deoxy-11-hydroxy-3-(1′,1′-dimethylalkyl)- and 11-hydroxy-1-methoxy-3-(1′,1′-dimethylalkyl)-Δ⁸-tetrahydrocannabinols, which contain alkyl chains from dimethylethyl to dimethylheptyl appended to C-3 of the cannabinoid. All of these compounds have greater affinity for the CB₂ receptor than for the CB₁ receptor, however only 1-methoxy-3-(1′,1′-dimethylhexyl)-Δ⁸-THC (JWH-229, 6e) has effectively no affinity for the CB₁ receptor (K_i=3134±110 nM) and high affinity for CB₂ (K_i=18±2 nM).     

Partial purification and characterization of mitochondrial DNA polymerase from Plasmodium falciparum

Mitochondria of chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum (K1 strain) were isolated from mature trophozoites by differential centrifugation. The mitochondrial marker enzyme cytochrome c reductase was employed to monitor the steps of mitochondria isolation. Partial purification of DNA polymerase from P. falciparum mitochondria was performed using fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC). DNA polymerase of P. falciparum mitochondria was characterized as a γ-like DNA polymerase based on its sensitivity to the inhibitors aphidicolin, N-ethylmaleimide and 9-β- -arabinofuranosyladenine-5′-triphosphate. In contrast, the enzyme was found to be strongly resistant to 2′,3′-dideoxythymidine-5′-triphosphate (IC₅₀>400 μM) and differed in this aspect from the human homologue, possibly indicating structural differences between human and P. falciparum DNA polymerase γ. In addition, the DNA polymerase of parasite mitochondria was shown to be resistant (IC₅₀>1 mM) to the nucleotide analogue (S)-1-[3-hydroxy-2-phosphonylmethoxypropyl]adenine diphosphate (HPMPApp).